Wine and Beverage Reporter

Sarah Doyle

Sarah Doyle is the wine reporter at The Press Democrat, where she also covers beer and spirits. A wine industry veteran and journalist for 25 years, Sarah brings an informed voice to one of Sonoma County’s most essential, evolving industries. Prior to joining The Press Democrat in 2022, Sarah was a freelance writer for The New York Times, The Boston Globe, The Washington Post, Food & Wine, Forbes, Robb Report and other publications. Sarah worked three wine harvests in California, studied enology and viticulture at Allan Hancock College in Santa Maria and Santa Rosa Junior College, and holds the Wine & Spirit Education Trust Level 3 Award in Wine. In 2025, she earned first place for food writing at the California Journalism Awards.

Cobb Wines tasting room director Andy Copeland talks about the different designated vineyards used in their coastal pinots Wed., Dec.10, 2025 at their new tasting room in Healdsburg. (John Burgess / The Press Democrat)

Cult Pinot Noir producer opens first tasting room in Healdsburg

December 26, 2025 at 6:41 a.m.

Known for his superlative Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, Ross Cobb has opened his first tasting room in downtown Healdsburg.

Miro Tcholakov, winemaker at Trentadue Winery, assesses a Pinot Noir.(Beth Schlanker / The Press Democrat)

The Michelin Guide debuts new rating system for wine. When is it coming to California?

December 11, 2025 at 6:16 a.m.

Known for its illustrious star restaurant ratings, the Michelin Guide has launched the Michelin Grape, a new rating system for wineries.

A worthy addition to any Thanksgiving table, Gros Ventre’s Gamay exudes energy with notes of bright cranberry, pomegranate, orange zest and “the vineyard’s signature ‘granite crunch.’” (MJ Wickham)

Elevate Thanksgiving with the best local wines from Sonoma County and beyond

November 21, 2025 at 9:34 a.m.

From a standout local sparkler to small-production gems to an Anderson Valley pick from a Russian River Valley icon, these bottles are poised to shine alongside the year's most meaningful...

At Rossi Ranch vineyards in Kenwood. October 23, 2025. (Kent Porter / The Press Democrat)

‘This is the worst year I’ve ever seen’: Local winegrowers struggle with unsold grapes as vines are pulled statewide

November 11, 2025 at 8:45 a.m.

Sonoma County winegrowers continue to face challenges with unsold fruit left rotting on the vine. Some longtime growers are leaving the state; others question when the crisis will end.

Kitty Oestlien and Shelley Lindgren founded Tansy Wine in 2020. (Kelly Puleio)

Founder of celebrated San Francisco restaurant has a Wine Country secret

November 5, 2025 at 6:19 a.m.

Famed A16 co-founder Shelly Lindgren has been quietly building a wine brand with business partner, Kitty Oestlien and winemaker Megan Glaab. Now, Tansy is ready for the spotlight.

U.S. President Trump Meets With Japanese Business Leaders In Tokyo

3 local wines served at embassy dinner for Trump in Japan

October 31, 2025 at 9:53 a.m.

Freeman Winery's Pinot Noir from the West Sonoma Coast was among three California wines served at the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo this week during President Donald Trump's three-day visit to Japan.

Phil Coturri who owns Enterprise Vineyards with his sons, walks to the next pick on the final day of the wine grape harvest, Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025 at Rossi Ranch vineyards in Kenwood (Kent Porter / The Press Democrat)

Father of organic winegrowing in the US steps down after 60 harvests in Sonoma

October 30, 2025 at 9:43 a.m.

Long before "organic" became a marketing buzzword, Phil Coturri was eschewing synthetic herbicides and fertilizers in favor of soil health, inspiring generations of winegrowers to follow suit.

Jesse Weber, director of Sonoma Operations of Burtech Family Vineyard, pours for a guest during the Sonoma County Harvest Fair gala, Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025, at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds in Santa Rosa. (Kent Porter / The Press Democrat)

Top Sonoma County wines revealed at 2025 Harvest Fair gala

October 14, 2025 at 6:31 a.m.

Three sweepstakes-winning wines rose to the top at the Sonoma County Harvest Fair 50th anniversary gala.

Sam Sebastiani, a third-generation vintner and the founder of Viansa and La Chertosa, died Oct. 9, 2025. (Courtesy of La Chertosa Winery)

Sam Sebastiani, Sonoma wine scion and founder of Viansa winery, dies at 84

October 13, 2025 at 10:14 a.m.

Sam Sebastiani, a third-generation vintner, helped elevate Sebastiani Vineyards to a premium brand before founding Viansa and La Chertosa, continuing his family's winemaking tradition while focusing on conservation in Sonoma.

Martha Stoumen Wines just opened its first tasting room, an inviting spot just steps from the Healdsburg Plaza. (Courtesy of Elli Lauren)

One of Wine Country’s buzziest new tasting rooms set to make its debut

October 8, 2025 at 5:00 a.m.

Martha Stoumen Wines' first tasting room debuts Oct. 9 in downtown Healdsburg.